We put in a full day today at The Rock. In preparation Mike Valencia spent four hours yesterday pumping out the lake in the infield so that we could dig the trench to the closest infield light pole. Jake Starr finished pumping it out this morning. Chip Ayres was there bright and early with his excavator. Mike DeRue and Rob VanDyne did miracle work in the garage. They cleared out a ton of junk that was piled up. They removed the refrigerator and now just need to take the doors off so that it can be taken to the dump. Rob took the four wheeler home to begin the repairs that are needed to get it up and running for the spring. We actually have some floor space now which will be a huge help as we work through the winter and need a place to stand to get out of the cold for a bit. Mike D., Mike Fauci and Jay Evans joined, Chip, Jake and I in the trench work. We not only dug the trench, but we ran the new electric lines and conduit and back filled the trench. Jim Howard stopped by to discuss the plans to begin shaping the new track surface. Mike D. also treated us to a Pizza Land pizza for lunch. Also Thank You to Rhonda fir delivering the special key that was needed.

Since our last update - Last weekend I got the panel in the concession stand ready to be tied back in at the pole by Lauterborn. I ran the ground wire and I connected the new main lines at the box. Over in the old tower I removed the old box. A new one is in place and grounded. I still have a number of lines to reconnect, but we are in much better shape. Yesterday, Jeff Erwin delivered 10 pieces of guardrail that he secured. Rob met him at the track and helped him to unload it. This is a huge contribution. Thank you, Jeff for getting the guardrail and delivering it!

Thank you to this entire crew. They all took time away from their families this holiday season to get this crucial part of the project completed. If you see them – Give them a pat on the back. We’ll be back at it tomorrow. I’ll be working on wiring up the panel in the tower and we could still use help sorting the guardrail into piles that will be easily identifiable in the snow.